Leadership

I am pleased and humbled to begin my tenure as Under Secretary for Economic Affairs at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Asked by Secretary Wilbur L. Ross and nominated by President Trump, I am deeply honored to help make America more competitive, serve my fellow Americans, and give back to our country, which has given so much to me.

Who is Ms. Chopra? She’s a young woman whose life has been in constant transition, from being shuttled all over India as a child to becoming a best-known and award-winning Bollywood star and now the first South Asian to headline an American network thriller (Quantico). Not to mention one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Child Rights.

Last summer, I outlined the wide variety of factors that make the Department of Commerce "America’s Data Agency" – and I announced a series of steps aimed at unlocking the full potential of our data resources.

Among those actions, launching a department-wide Data Advisory Council was a top priority and a key commitment. And today, I am pleased to say that we are making good on our promise: the council has been officially established and we are now accepting applications.

About the Economics & Statistics Administration

The Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA) plays three key roles within the Department of Commerce (DOC). ESA provides timely economic analysis, disseminates national economic indicators, and oversees the U.S. Census Bureau (Census) and the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). In this latter role, ESA works closely with the leadership at BEA and Census on high priority management, budget, employment, and risk management issues, integrating the work of these agencies with the priorities and requirements of the Department of Commerce and other government entities.